Tradition; the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice. Wedding traditions have gone through many generations, some have changed a little, while others have completely stayed the same. The tradition of wearing white didn’t start until Queen Victoria wore a white gown to incorporate some lace she loved and to show her wealth. You see very few people could afford to wear a dress only once, and a white gown would be ruined by the end of the night. The tradition before that time was for brides to wear any color. Since then most brides have stuck with the tradition of wearing white on their wedding day. Here are some more traditions that have stuck around, with a couple new traditions that have started in the past few years.

1. Bridal Portraits

One of the longest-standing Southern wedding traditions is the bridal portrait, which originated in Europe, and the tradition eventually made it’s way across the Atlantic and below the Mason-Dixon line. They have evolved over the years; originally bridals were taken at a photographer’s studio, and featured a stoic, serious bride. But now, brides are going for a more personalized and natural look.

2. Bouquet

Flowers are incorporated into the wedding ceremony as a symbol of fertility. The first bouquets consisted of herbs and later, orange blossoms. The tradition of the bouquet toss started from when Women would try and rip pieces of the bride’s dress and flowers in gain some of her good luck. To escape the women the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. Today the bouquet is tossed to single women with the belief that whoever catches it will be the next to marry.

3. Veil

The bridal veil has long been a symbol of youth, modesty and virginity and was used to ward off evil by disguising the bride.

4. Handkerchief

Early farmers thought that a bride’s wedding day tears brought luck and her tears would bring rain to their crops. Later, it was thought that a bride who cried on her wedding day would never shed another tear about her marriage. Thought the tradition of passing down the wedding handkerchief through family members has remained the same, the reasons why a bride wanted to catch her tears of joy have changed over the years.

5. Letter to each other

The bride and groom will write letters to each other to express their feelings one last time before they exchange their vows. The tradition now is for the photographer to capture this special moment.

6. Bride & Groom Not Seeing Each other before Wedding

During the time when arranged marriages were custom, the betrothed couple wasn’t allowed to see each other before the wedding at all. The wedding symbolized a business deal between two families, but he also feared that if the groom met the bride before the wedding and thought she wasn’t attractive, and he might call off the wedding, casting shame onto the bride and her family. It then became a tradition that the bride and groom would not see other until they met at the alter.

7. First Look

Now couples feel that they will be more relaxed if they see each other for just a few minutes before the ceremony. Of course it helps the process of wedding pictures move along, and allow the bride and groom be able to experience more with their guests.

8. Father-Daughter Dance

Traditionally the Father-Daughter Dance came before the Bride-Groom dance. The father danced with the bride then presented her to the groom to dance to the steps of a new life. It was a way for the bride to share a special time with the two most important men in her life.

9. Wedding Cake

A gorgeous wedding cake is often the centerpiece of a wedding and usually sits in a place of honor. This tradition dates back to Roman and Medieval times, back then a stack of buns was used instead of a cake though.

10. Send off

Pelting newlyweds with uncooked starchy vegetables is a time-honored tradition meant to shower the new couple with prosperity, fertility, and of course, good fortune. Over the years is has varied to a send of after the reception, with sparklers, bubbles, or rose petals send off.

Founded in 1998, WED has been designing weddings and events in Charleston, SC for a significant amount of time. We love seeing new venues being developed in Charleston frequently. Here are some up-coming venues that we are especially excited to see be used as new wedding venues. All of these spaces have special characteristics about them that make them perfect for our unique brides. We cannot wait to be a part of these venues.

Located in the up-and-coming Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighbor-hood, Cannon Green is Charleston’s newest and most distinctive venue. A collaboration between florists, artists, chefs, and event designers, Cannon Green is designed to enable you to create and revel in your special occasion.

Hobcaw Barony’s 16,000 acres encompass a rich diversity of every ecosystem found on the South Carolina coast. The native Americans called it Hobcaw, meaning between the waters, and in 1718, the land was granted as a barony to English royalty. In 1905, Bernard Baruch, Wall Street financier and advisor to presidents, purchased the property comprised of 11 former plantations for use as a winter hunting retreat. He invited 20th Century luminaries to enjoy the beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Situated on 32 acres just outside Charleston, South Carolina, The Stables at Boals Farm is an authentic, working horse farm that originally grew sugar cane and refined it into cane syrup. The Boals Family Farm was established in 1965 when Mr. Ronald M. Boals, Sr. implemented the long line of family roots in the farming, culinary and equestrian fields that date back to the 1800s. That passion will translate to any event held at The Stables at Boals Farm with a Boals Family member assisting you to make your event memorable.

Wingate Plantation was part of the colonial Brick House Plantation of Johns Island. English authority initially granted the plantation in 1707 to Robert Cole and William Taylor. Wingate Plantation represents the largest, undeveloped, intact parcel of the original plantation. The farmhouse on the property dates back to the 1930’s, when it was constructed by the Jenkins family.

Ever wonder how the artist creates their amazing works of art? Marisa Schaaf let us take a peek into her world, a graphic designer and calligrapher, and owner of Blue Glass Design. The bride & groom wanted a custom calligraphy chalkboard for the program for their wedding. Marisa took pictures of the process she uses to create these beautiful works of art. Thanks Marisa!

Here at WED, we are all about personalized details of a wedding that are unique to the bride and groom. A great way to express individuality in a wedding is by having a fun and creative groom’s cake. Don’t you just love these cakes from some of our past weddings?

WED is thrilled to announce Libby Malinowski has joined the team as our summer intern! Joining us from Beaufort, SC, Libby has always had a passion for the picturesque weddings found in the Lowcountry. An English student at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, Libby will be living in Charleston for the summer and working in our downtown office. Inspired by WED’s elegance and individuality in each one of our events, Libby is thrilled to join such a successful team.

Libby kicked off the summer by starting at WED on June 2. We are excited to have Libby’s ambition and passion added to the team and we are delighted to have her on board!

We always go out with a bang, by why not start with one? We love a creative invitation that incorporates design elements from your wedding. Choosing a fun envelope liner such as this orange ikat or golden sparkles is a surprising way to give your guests a sneak peak of what’s to come!

Love it so much…why not do it twice? Jazz up both your invitation and save the dates for double the fun.

One of our favorite moments of a wedding is seeing the groom’s face light up as he spots his bride for the first time. A fun way to capture this moment on camera is a first look! Here are a few of our favorite first looks from our past weddings…

A first look can include more than the bride a groom. Look at this sweet first look moment shared between father and daughter…